Another family in our travel group snapped these pictures of us on gotcha day. They are my new favorites of our first moments together!

Stay at home mom...sort of

I am really enjoying the closest I've been to stay-at-home mom in 10 years. I still work one day a week but it's so low key...feels good not to be so divided and frazzled all the time. Not that being with kids all day ISN'T frazzling...but it's a different kind of stress. It's sad that it's taken 3 kids for me to realize I need to slow down and really enjoy them. As my mom likes to say, "When it's all said and done, they're not going to remember if the house was clean or not." That's good, 'cause it's definitely NOT. And even my attempts to clean feel like shoveling snow while it's still snowing. Ethan is into everything. I know all toddlers are, but I feel he is unusually so. We took him to our Bible Study group last week. I caught my very kind-hearted friend staring, with mouth gaping open, as Ethan crawled up the stairs, down the stairs, up the stairs, down the stairs...for about 20 minutes. He's like the Energizer bunny. And he really cannot be contained. He wriggles out of his high chair seat belt like some tiny Houdini, climbs gates, and screams pathetically when placed in his crib to "play" (yeah, I know, it was a dumb idea, but I was desperate) He may be delayed in other areas, but his gross motor skills are pretty advanced if you ask me. He can scoot out the kitchen chair, runs and grabs a stool, lifts the stool ONTO the chair, climbs on top of both and then lunges to the kitchen table. Then stands there all triumphantly like he just climbed Mt. Everest. Oh, and he does it all in the time it takes me to make a 90 second potty run. Chris now looks forward to coming home to find out what creative system of barricades I've constructed that day. And our 1600 sq foot ranch is feeling extra small these days. We've always liked the idea of having a small, simple space (not to mention the low mortgage payment). The girls share a room and Ethan has the small room. My "office" is relegated to a corner table in the living room. I thought, how much space can one more kid take up? Well, the kid itself, not much, but the kid's STUFF is a whole different story. I feel like toys and clothes just ooze out the the walls. But we'll probably never move. I despise moving and I'm very stubborn.

Ethan had his First Steps evaluation earlier this week and going to get some Occupational Therapy. Maybe not for long as his feeding skill are really coming along nicely. My main concern was that he cannot use a straw or sippy cup and does not really suck from a bottle. When the therapists came out for the eval, I gave him a sippy cup to demonstrate this and what did he do? Sucked on it. Why do my kids love to make me look like a liar. Seriously, he is really getting some strength and coordination in that little mouth which is a good thing. We go back to the pediatrician on Tuesday for our official 4 week "weigh in," but I'm pretty sure he's gained. Even taking into account being clothed and using different scales, I'm almost positive he's gained at least a solid pound. We went for an MRI yesterday. It was very traumatic because they had to sedate him which required 5 attempts to get the IV started. He has a very deep sacral dimple so they want to rule out something called "tethered cord syndrome" Having this condition would mean surgery on his spinal cord...so we're praying for good news. Our trip to the craniofacial center was very uneventful. They snapped a few pictures and told us to come back in September. Truthfully, his palate is repaired, and until he's talking, we won't know how good the muscles are working and what revisions are needed.

NiNi is still in the adjustment phase of having a little brother. We have had some definite set backs with her behavior...so much so that I am pulling out my attachment and adoption books and re-reading them. It's tough on her...truthfully, I think she's always wanted to be an only child. A princess and an only child. Hopefully someday she will see the benefit of having siblings. She still cracks me up everyday. This morning I took her to gymnastics for the first time and said, "Mommy is going to run an errand while you do gymnastics, but I'll come right back to get you. They have my number if you need something." She said, "Mom, remember...I don't have a cell phone."


Our future scientist

Caught in the act of smearing toothpaste in his hair

****Update: Ethan gained 1.2 lbs his first 4 weeks home and his MRI was normal (yeah!)

Sibling Rivalry

NiNi has been in a very....how do I say....delicate emotional state for the past 3 weeks now. It's like the terrible 2's all over again, except she is smarter and stronger and sassier. And Meagan, unfortunately, is the spark to NiNi's gunpowder. We were at Target the other day and saw a little girl holding and cuddling her doll. It was so precious that I commented to the mom. The girl's mother said, "She likes to pretend that the doll is her little sister". I said to Meagan, "Isn't that sweet...she really WANTS to have a sister." Meagan replied, "That's only because she doesn't have one."

NiNi, Ethan and I were getting ready to go for a walk. As I was putting Ethan into his coat, I started kissing and tickling him. NiNi, in an irritated tone said, "All right, mom. That's enough 'maw-mawing'" I guess "maw maw" was her sound effect for kissing.

Mr. Handsome

Here he's trying to play the "I'm gonna get you" game. He puts his little hands up and wiggles his fingers and runs toward us. This, of course, we think is just about the cutest thing we've ever seen.

Not too sure about the grass and cold temperatures


All done, mom

Meanwhile, NiNi was feeling left out of the picture taking...

NiNi putting on her best "I like him, I really do" face

Ethan climbed up onto the table and got into the powdered donuts. Now climbing up onto the table is his new favorite thing to do. I'm expecting an ER visit any day now.

Isn't she beautiful? And such a great big sister too!

Ethan loves him some Meagan

Meagan and Kaili at the Children's Museum